Thunder Bay, Ontario, maintains its position with the highest homicide rate in Canada, as per the most recent data published by Statistics Canada. The annual report on homicide trends, unveiled on December 2 and based on 2024 data, highlights Thunder Bay’s increase in homicide rate from 5.41 to 6.08 per 100,000 population that year, surpassing Chilliwack, British Columbia (4.75), and Winnipeg (4.66) respectively.
For the fifth consecutive year in 2020, Thunder Bay recorded the highest homicide rate in the country. Although it slipped to the second position in 2021, it reclaimed the top spot in 2022 and 2023. According to Statistics Canada, the homicide rate serves as a crucial indicator for evaluating violence, community safety, and social well-being. Policymakers at both domestic and international levels rely on homicide incidence to gauge violence levels, identify patterns, and devise appropriate responses.
Despite a national drop of four percent in the homicide rate in 2024, Thunder Bay’s figures have remained consistent. Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) confirmed 53 homicides between 2020 and 2025, with 7 homicides and 295 sudden deaths reported in 2025, slightly lower than the 8 homicides and 300 sudden deaths in the previous year. The most recent sudden death incident occurred on Christmas Day on Regent Street in Thunder Bay’s north end.
To address concerns about neighborhood safety, the City of Thunder Bay is in the process of formulating a new community safety and well-being plan. Throughout 2025, the city organized numerous public engagement sessions and an online survey to gather community feedback.
In terms of law enforcement initiatives, Thunder Bay Police Service introduced several safety programs in the past year, including a housing safety unit pilot project where dedicated special constables patrol social housing buildings. Additionally, the police force secured provincial funding for new forensic technologies such as a bullet recovery program and LiDAR software for crime scene reconstruction. The Integrated Mobile Police Assessment Crisis Team, a mental health and addictions program, aims to redirect non-emergency calls to appropriate support services rather than police or hospitals.
Recently, the Thunder Bay Police Service Board approved the 2026 operational budget request, totaling approximately $64 million, representing a nine percent increase from the previous year. The police service proposed capital budgets of around $3.2 million for 2026 and $4.8 million for 2027. A citizen satisfaction survey is currently available for public feedback on the Thunder Bay Police Service’s website.